JP5117961B2 - Consumable management system, consumable management method, and consumable management program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a consumable management system, a consumable management method, and a consumable management program for managing consumables used in an image forming apparatus such as a printer or a copying apparatus.

  Image forming apparatuses that execute processing such as printers, copiers, and facsimile machines use consumables such as paper and toner. If these consumables are not consumed, image formation cannot be performed.

  Therefore, in order to prevent so-called “out of consumables”, a customer may store spare consumables and place an order when the end of the consumables approaches. Among consumables, toner takes time to obtain compared to paper. Therefore, there is a technique for ordering toner by notifying the near end before the toner runs out by detecting the near end before the toner end is detected. There is also a method of reporting to the toner supply management server when the near end is detected, and managing the amount of toner stock in the customer by the toner supply management server.

  However, in the above-described near end detection method, the toner end may be completed immediately after the toner near end detection, and the toner delivery may not be in time. Therefore, various methods have been considered to obtain more accurate toner consumption. For example, a method of reading the charge amount of the electrostatic latent image on the drum surface with an electronic sensor or the like and calculating a predicted value of the toner consumption amount corresponding to the charge amount has been studied (for example, see Patent Document 1). . In this Patent Document 1, the remaining amount of toner is obtained by a method of reading the transition of the remaining amount of toner based on a change in the electrostatic capacity of the toner or a method of estimating the remaining amount of toner by integrating the number of latent image formed dots. A system for placing an order based on the remaining amount of toner is described.

On the other hand, regarding acquisition of toner consumption, a system for acquiring toner consumption by measuring a toner flow rate has been studied (for example, see Patent Document 2). In the system described in Patent Document 2, a toner transfer / relay mechanism for transferring toner from a large-capacity toner container to an image forming apparatus has a flow meter. By measuring the toner flow rate with this flow meter, a predetermined period of time is measured. Get toner consumption.
JP 2003-39789 A (10th and 11th pages) JP 2004-37743 A (page 4-7)

  However, the near end may be detected even though the remaining amount of toner is sufficient. For example, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, since the number of pixels of the electrostatic latent image formed on the drum surface is counted, when the drum is consumed over time, the toner adhesion amount changes, and the toner May not be able to accurately calculate consumption. In addition, since the toner adhesion amount in the development process is affected by temperature and humidity, it is difficult to calculate the toner consumption accurately.

  Further, as described in Patent Document 2, when the toner flow rate is measured by a flow meter, the amount of toner flowing on the toner supply path is very small, and therefore there is an error in the prediction of the toner supply amount for the entire toner bottle. May grow.

  In such a case, after the near end is detected once due to an error, the near end may not be detected after a while, and then the near end may be detected again. If a toner order is automatically made each time a near end is detected, the customer has more consumables than necessary.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a consumable management system and a consumable management that can replenish consumables at a more appropriate timing while reducing the number of consumables that a customer has as inventory It is to provide a method and a consumable management program.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1 is directed to control means connected to an image forming apparatus having a memory for storing a device identifier, the device identifier, and a new consumable being delivered. A consumables management system comprising management information storage means for recording management information including a delivery completion flag indicating that the remaining information when the control means receives a remaining amount detection notification from the image forming apparatus. A remaining amount notification recording processing means for recording management information including a device identifier included in the amount detection notification in the management information storage means, and other management information including a device identifier included in the recorded management information as the management information. Search processing means for executing search processing to search in the storage means, and when other management information that has not been deleted in the search processing is not extracted, or in the search processing When the delivery completion flag is not included in the other management information that has not been received, a delivery instruction for a new consumable is issued, and the delivery completion flag is recorded for this management information. When the delivery completion flag is included in other management information that has not been erased, the consumables are exchanged in the image forming apparatus with delivery instruction processing means for holding a new consumable delivery instruction. When a consumable item replacement notification is received, the gist is provided with a consumption processing means for executing a consumption process on the management information including the device identifier included in the consumable item replacement notification.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the consumable item management system according to the first aspect, the consumable item replacement notification storage unit that records the consumable item replacement notification received from the image forming apparatus further comprises: When the consumable item replacement notification is received, the consumable item replacement notification recording unit records the device identifier included in the consumable item replacement notification in the consumable item replacement notification storage unit, and the consumption processing unit includes: The gist is to periodically extract a device identifier included in the consumable item replacement notification recorded in the consumable item replacement notification storage means, and to execute a consumption process on the management information including the extracted device identifier. .

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the consumable item management system according to the first or second aspect, the control unit includes a customer information storage unit in which information on a person-in-charge terminal is recorded in association with the device identifier, a consumable item A delivery system that executes the delivery instruction process, and a person-in-charge terminal, wherein the delivery instruction processing means transmits a delivery request including a device identifier included in the management information to the delivery system, and the control means When the information related to the delivery date of the consumables delivered by the delivery system is acquired in association with the device identifier, the delivery date for recording the delivery date of the consumable in association with the device identifier in the management information storage means Information recording means and management information that has passed the delivery date are extracted, and a contact instruction is executed to the person-in-charge terminal associated with the device identifier included in the management information And summarized in that, further comprising a contact instruction processing means Rukoto.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a management including control means connected to an image forming apparatus having a memory for storing an apparatus identifier, the apparatus identifier, and a delivery flag indicating that a new consumable has been delivered. A method for managing consumables using a consumable management system comprising management information storage means for recording information, wherein the control means receives the remaining amount detection notification from the image forming apparatus. A remaining amount notification recording process step of recording management information including a device identifier included in the remaining amount detection notification in the management information storage unit, and other management information including a device identifier included in the recorded management information A search processing stage for executing a search process for searching in the information storage means, and when other management information that has not been deleted in the search process is not extracted, or in the search process When the delivery completion flag is not included in other management information that has not been performed, a new consumable delivery instruction is issued and a delivery completion flag is recorded for this management information, while the search process is performed. In the case where the delivery completion flag is included in the other management information that has not been erased, the delivery instruction processing stage for holding the delivery instruction for a new consumable, and the consumable is exchanged in the image forming apparatus When a consumable replacement notification is received indicating that the consumable replacement has been received, the gist is to execute a consumption processing stage for executing a consumption processing on the management information including the device identifier included in the consumable replacement notification. .

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a management including control means connected to an image forming apparatus having a memory for storing a device identifier, the device identifier, and a delivered flag indicating that a new consumable has been delivered. A program for managing consumables using a consumable management system comprising a management information storage means for recording information, and when the control means receives a remaining amount detection report from the image forming apparatus, A remaining amount notification recording processing unit for recording management information including a device identifier included in the amount detection notification in the management information storage unit; and storing other management information including a device identifier included in the recorded management information in the management information Search processing means for executing a search process for searching in the means, when other management information that has not been deleted in the search process is not extracted, or in the search process When the delivery completion flag is not included in other management information that has not been made, a delivery instruction for a new consumable is issued, and a delivery completion flag is recorded for this management information, while the search process In the case where the delivery completion flag is included in the other management information that has not been erased, the delivery instruction processing means for holding a delivery instruction for a new consumable, and the consumable is replaced in the image forming apparatus When a consumable item replacement notification is received indicating that the consumable item replacement has been received, the gist is to cause it to function as a consumption processing unit that performs a consumption process on the management information including the device identifier included in the consumable item replacement notification.

(Function)
According to the present invention, when receiving the remaining amount detection notification from the image forming apparatus, the control unit records management information including the device identifier included in the remaining amount detection notification in the management information storage unit. The control means executes a search process for searching the management information storage means for other management information including a device identifier included in the recorded management information. When other management information that has not been deleted in the search process is not extracted, or when the other flag is not included in the other management information that has not been deleted in the search process, the control means In addition to issuing a new consumable delivery instruction, a delivery completion flag is recorded for this management information, while other management information that has not been cleared in the search process includes a delivery completion flag. In the event of a failure, a new consumable delivery instruction is put on hold. When receiving a consumable replacement notification indicating that a consumable has been replaced in the image forming apparatus, the control means executes a consumption process on the management information including the device identifier included in the consumable replacement notification. For this reason, when receiving a remaining amount detection notification indicating that the remaining amount is low, if the control means can determine that the shipped consumable item is at the customer's hand, a new consumable item shipping instruction is issued. Do not do. Therefore, the consumables that the customer has as inventory can be reduced without the consumables being accumulated at the customer.

  According to the present invention, when receiving the consumable item replacement notification, the control unit records the device identifier included in the consumable item replacement notification in the consumable item replacement notification storing unit. The control unit periodically extracts a device identifier included in the consumable item replacement notification recorded in the consumable item replacement notification storage unit, and executes a consumption process on the management information including the extracted device identifier. For this reason, the control means can collectively execute the consumption process.

According to the present invention, the control means transmits a delivery request including the device identifier included in the management information to the delivery system. When the control unit acquires information related to the delivery date of the consumables delivered by the delivery system in association with the device identifier, the control unit records the delivery date of the consumables in the management information storage unit in association with the device identifier. The control means extracts management information whose delivery date has passed, and executes a contact instruction to the person-in-charge terminal associated with the device identifier included in this management information. For this reason, even if the delivery date has passed, the control means contacts the customer from the person-in-charge terminal if the shipped consumable is not set by the customer. As a result of this contact, if the consumables that have been shipped have not arrived at the customer, the consumables can be resent, so the new consumables can be delivered to the customer more reliably before the consumables run out it can. Also, when the consumables that have been sent arrive at the customer, the consumables are not retransmitted, so that the consumables that the customer has as inventory can be reduced.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to replenish consumables at a more appropriate timing while reducing the number of consumables held by a customer.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment embodying the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, a consumable management system that manages toner used in an image forming apparatus will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the toner bottle 60 that accommodates toner is mounted (set) inside the image forming apparatus 10. An IC chip 61 is affixed to the toner bottle 60. The IC chip 61 stores a toner identifier (toner ID) for identifying the toner bottle 60. Further, in this embodiment, the toner ID includes an identifier (color identifier) that specifies the color of the toner contained in the toner bottle 60.

  The image forming apparatus 10 includes a processing log data storage unit (not shown) and a control unit 11. In the processing log data storage unit of the present embodiment, the total number of printed sheets for each paper size since the new toner bottle 60 is mounted and the image formation dot count information (average) for each color and paper size are recorded. The The control unit 11 includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and the like (not shown).

  The control unit 11 includes an image formation processing unit (not shown). The image forming processing unit executes a printing process on a printing medium such as paper using the toner in the toner bottle 60 according to the acquired image forming data. In this case, the image formation processing unit controls the laser beam in order to form an electrostatic latent image on the drum surface. In addition, the image formation processing unit adds the number of print media on which an image is formed by the laser beam to the total number of prints of the paper size stored in the process log data storage unit, and adds a new total print number to the process log. Record in the data storage. Further, the image forming processing unit counts the number of dots of the image formed by the laser beam irradiated onto the drum surface, and the image forming dot count information (average) for each paper size is stored in the processing log data storage unit. Record.

Further, the control unit 11 includes a toner remaining amount detection unit 111, a scheduled remaining number of days calculation unit 112, a new article detection processing unit 115, an information notification unit 116, and the like.
The toner remaining amount detecting unit 111 calculates the remaining amount of toner and determines whether or not the remaining amount of toner is less than or equal to the remaining amount threshold value. Specifically, the toner remaining amount detection unit 111 stores data relating to a toner consumption amount calculation formula, a toner remaining amount calculation formula, and a remaining amount threshold value. The toner consumption amount calculation formula is a formula for calculating the toner consumption amount consumed since the new toner bottle 60 is set up to the present time, and is the equation (1) in FIG. In this equation (1), “m” is the weight of toner adhering to one dot on the drum surface, and is stored in advance in the image forming apparatus 10. "
“N” is the average number of dots of each color in one sheet of each paper size. Therefore, “m · N” is the amount of toner consumed by a print medium of a predetermined size. “L1” is the total number of printed sheets for each size in a certain period. The toner remaining amount calculation formula is an equation for calculating the internal volume of the toner remaining in the toner bottle 60 as shown in the formula (2) in FIG. In the equation (2), “A” is the content of the new toner bottle 60 and is stored in the image forming apparatus 10 in advance. In the present embodiment, “¼” of the internal capacity of the toner bottle 60 is stored as the remaining amount threshold value.

  The scheduled remaining days calculation unit 112 calculates the scheduled remaining days when the remaining amount of toner is equal to or less than the remaining amount threshold. For this reason, the scheduled remaining days calculation unit 112 stores data relating to the average usage calculation formula, the scheduled remaining days calculation formula, and the toner set date used for this. The average use amount calculation formula is an equation for calculating the average toner use amount per sheet used in the toner remaining amount calculation formula as shown in the formula (3) in FIG. In equation (3), “L2” is the total number of printed sheets of all sizes, which is the total number of printed sheets for each paper size.

  As shown in the equation (4) in FIG. 3, the scheduled remaining days calculation formula is a formula for calculating the remaining number of days that become the toner end from the day when the remaining amount of toner becomes “¼”. In the equation (4), “D1” is the toner set date when the toner bottle 60 is set in the image forming apparatus 10. “D2” is the current date. Furthermore, the scheduled remaining days calculation unit 112 records data related to the safety days set for the calculated scheduled remaining days. In the present embodiment, “1/2” of the planned remaining days is set as the safety days.

  The new article detection processing unit 115 detects that a new toner bottle 60 is set. Specifically, the new article detection processing unit 115 stores data regarding the currently set toner ID. The new product detection processing unit 115 reads the toner ID of the IC chip 61 of the toner bottle 60 mounted therein at a certain time. Then, the new article detection processing unit 115 compares the read toner ID with the stored current toner ID. If the two toner IDs are different, the new article detection processing unit 115 stores the newly read toner ID in the memory and supplies the information to the information notification unit 116. Further, the new article detection processing unit 115 provides the current date at this time to the scheduled remaining number calculation unit 112 as a toner set date.

  The information notification unit 116 performs a remaining amount detection report or a new article detection report to the consumables management system 20. Therefore, the information notification unit 116 stores data relating to the model identifier, device number, and current toner ID of the image forming apparatus 10. When the information notification unit 116 acquires the remaining number of days and the number of safety days from the scheduled remaining number calculation unit 112, the information notification unit 116 transmits a remaining amount detection notification to the consumables management system 20. Further, when the information notification unit 116 acquires a new toner ID from the new product detection processing unit 115, the information notification unit 116 transmits a new product detection report to the consumables management system 20.

  The image forming apparatus 10 described above is connected to a consumable management system 20 that manages the toner bottle 60 via a network. The consumables management system 20 is connected to a customer related information management system 30, a delivery system 40 for delivering the toner bottle 60, and a terminal 50 of a person in charge who performs maintenance of the image forming apparatus 10.

  The consumable item management system 20 includes a control unit 21 as a control unit, a toner remaining amount notification information storage unit 22 and a new toner notification information storage unit 23. The toner remaining amount notification information storage unit 22 functions as a management information storage unit, and the new toner notification information storage unit 23 functions as a consumable item replacement notification storage unit.

The control unit 21 includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and the like (not shown), and will be described later (remaining amount notification recording processing step, search processing step, delivery instruction processing step, consumption processing step, consumable replacement notification recording step, notification A process including a date information recording stage and a contact instruction processing stage). Then, by executing the consumable management program for this purpose, the control unit 21 causes the remaining toner information notification receiving unit 211, the remaining toner information comparison and determination unit 212, the customer information related search / extraction unit 213, and the toner delivery information. It functions as the reception / contact unit 214. Further, the control unit 21 includes a toner remaining amount information extraction unit 215, a new toner information search unit 216, a toner delivery date information comparison determination unit 217, and a toner continuous use success / failure information communication unit 218.

The toner remaining amount information notification receiving unit 211 receives the detection notification from the image forming apparatus 10 and provides it to the toner remaining amount information comparison determining unit 212.
The toner remaining amount information comparison / determination unit 212 functions as a remaining amount notification recording processing unit and a consumable item replacement notification recording unit. The remaining toner information comparison / determination unit 212 records the received detection information in the remaining toner notification information storage unit 22 or the new toner notification information storage unit 23 according to the type of detection notification.

The customer information related search / extraction unit 213 acquires customer information as a delivery destination from the customer related information management system 30 when the new toner bottle 60 is delivered.
The toner delivery information reception / contact unit 214 functions as a delivery date information recording unit, and receives toner delivery information from the customer information related search / extraction unit 213. The toner delivery information receiving / notifying unit 214 transmits / receives data to / from the delivery system 40 and executes delivery instruction processing for a new toner bottle 60.

  The toner remaining amount information extraction unit 215 functions as a search processing unit and a delivery instruction processing unit. This toner remaining amount information extracting unit 215 periodically extracts information on the toner whose delivery date has passed from the toner remaining amount notification information storing unit 22, and sets the model identifier and device number of the extracted toner remaining information. The new toner information search unit 216 and the toner delivery date information comparison determination unit 217 are supplied.

The new toner information search unit 216 searches for matching new toner information based on the model identifier and the device number.
The toner delivery date information comparison / determination unit 217 functions as an erasure processing unit, and performs processing such as erasure of the remaining toner information and a communication instruction from the extracted remaining toner information and the retrieved new toner information.
The toner continuous use success / failure information communication unit 218 functions as a contact instruction processing unit, and performs contact with the terminal 50 of the person in charge according to the contact instruction from the toner delivery date information comparison determination unit 217.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2A, the toner remaining amount notification information storage unit 22 stores toner remaining amount notification information 220 regarding the toner bottle 60 that has received the remaining amount detection notification. This toner remaining amount notification information 220 is recorded when a remaining amount detection notification is received from the image forming apparatus 10. The toner remaining amount notification information 220 includes information on a model identifier, a device number, a current set toner ID, a notification date, a scheduled remaining number of days, a safe number of days, customer specific information, a new toner ID, a delivery date, a delivery completed flag, and a contacted flag. including.

In the model identifier information area, information relating to an identifier (model identifier) that identifies the model of the image forming apparatus 10 that has transmitted the remaining amount detection notification is recorded.
In the device number information area, information related to the device manufacturing number (device number) of the image forming apparatus 10 is recorded. In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus can be specified using the model identifier and the device number. For this reason, the model identifier and the device number correspond to the device identifier.

In the currently set toner ID information area, information related to the toner ID for specifying the toner bottle 60 currently set in the image forming apparatus 10 is recorded.
In the notification date information area, information related to the date on which the remaining amount detection notification is received from the image forming apparatus 10 is recorded.

In the scheduled remaining days information area, information related to the scheduled remaining days until the currently set toner in the image forming apparatus 10 reaches the end is recorded.
In the safety days information area, information related to the safety days calculated from the planned remaining days using a predetermined function is recorded.

  In the customer unique information area, unique information about the customer is recorded. In the present embodiment, the customer name, address, telephone number, mail address of the terminal 50 of the person in charge, etc. are used as the information related to the customer.

In the new toner ID information area, information related to a toner ID for specifying a new toner bottle 60 delivered to be newly set in the image forming apparatus 10 is recorded.
In the delivery date information area, information related to the scheduled date (delivery date) when the delivered new toner arrives at the customer is recorded. In the present embodiment, three delivery values are recorded: a reference value for normal delivery, a fastest delivery date (MIN) for the earliest delivery, and a latest delivery date (MAX) for the latest delivery. .

  In the delivered flag information area, a delivered flag indicating that the new toner bottle 60 has been delivered is recorded. In the present embodiment, information relating to the delivery date is recorded as the delivery completion flag.

  In the contacted flag information area, a contacted flag indicating that a contact instruction has been given to the person in charge is recorded. In the present embodiment, information relating to the contact date is recorded as the contact completion flag.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2B, the new toner notification information storage section 23 stores new toner notification information 230 regarding the toner bottle 60 that has received the new detection notification. The new toner notification information 230 is recorded when a new detection notification is received from the image forming apparatus 10. The new toner notification information 230 includes information on a model identifier, a device number, a new set toner ID, and a new toner set date.

In the model identifier information area, information related to an identifier (model identifier) that identifies the model of the image forming apparatus 10 that has transmitted the new article detection notification is recorded.
In the device number information area, information related to the device manufacturing number (device number) of the image forming apparatus 10 is recorded.

In the new set toner ID information area, information related to a toner ID for specifying a new toner bottle 60 newly set in the image forming apparatus 10 is recorded.
In the new toner set date information area, information relating to the date of receipt of the new product detection notification transmitted by setting a new toner bottle 60 in the image forming apparatus 10 is recorded.

  On the other hand, the customer related information management system 30 in FIG. 1 is a system for managing information related to customers. The customer related information management system 30 includes a customer related information storage unit 31 as customer information storage means. In the customer related information storage unit 31, customer related information 310 is recorded as shown in FIG. The customer related information 310 is recorded when information about a new customer is input. The customer related information 310 includes information related to the model identifier and device number, and customer specific information.

In the model identifier information area, information related to an identifier (model identifier) that identifies the model of the image forming apparatus 10 that has made a new article detection report is recorded.
In the device number information area, information related to the device manufacturing number (device number) of the image forming apparatus 10 is recorded.

  In the customer unique information area, unique information about the customer is recorded. In this embodiment, information related to the customer name, address, telephone number, mail address of the terminal 50 of the person in charge, etc. is recorded.

  On the other hand, the delivery system 40 executes processing for delivering the toner bottle 60. After delivery based on the delivery instruction received from the consumable management system 20, the delivery system 40 provides information on the delivery date (delivery date) in association with the model identifier and device number included in the delivery instruction. 20 to provide.

Furthermore, the terminal 50 of the person in charge is a terminal used by the person in charge confirming whether or not the new toner bottle 60 that has been instructed to deliver has arrived at the customer.
Next, the consumables management system 20 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, the order of the detection notification process, the delivery instruction process and the consumption process in the detection notification process will be described. The detection notification process is executed when a remaining amount detection notification transmitted in the remaining amount detection processing in the image forming apparatus 10 or a new article detection notification transmitted in the new article detection processing is received. First, the remaining amount detection process and the new article detection process in the image forming apparatus 10 will be described.

(Remaining amount detection processing in the image forming apparatus 10)
Here, the remaining amount detection processing in the image forming apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIG. This remaining amount detection process is executed periodically (every day) when the time stored in advance in the image forming apparatus 10 is reached.

  First, the control unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 10 executes reading processing of the image forming dot count of each color (step S1-1). Specifically, the toner remaining amount detection unit 111 of the control unit 11 acquires dot count information of each color from the processing log data storage unit.

  Next, the control unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 10 performs a process of reading the number of printed sheets for each paper size (step S1-2). Specifically, the toner remaining amount detecting unit 111 of the control unit 11 acquires the number of printed sheets for each paper size printed after the new toner bottle 60 is set from the processing log data storage unit.

  Next, the control unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 10 performs a toner consumption calculation process for each color (step S1-3). Specifically, the toner remaining amount detection unit 111 of the control unit 11 calculates the toner consumption amount for each color by substituting the acquired image forming dot count and the number of printed sheets for each paper size into the equation (1). .

  Next, the control unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 10 performs processing for calculating the remaining amount of toner for each color (step S1-4). Specifically, the toner remaining amount detecting unit 111 of the control unit 11 calculates the toner remaining amount by substituting the toner consumption calculated in step S1-3 into the equation (2).

Next, the control unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 10 determines whether or not the calculated remaining toner amount is equal to or less than a threshold value (step S1-5). Specifically, the toner remaining amount detecting unit 111 of the control unit 11 compares each calculated remaining toner amount with 1/4 of the content of the new toner bottle 60.
Here, when all the remaining amount of toner is greater than the threshold (1/4) (in the case of “NO” in step S1-5), the remaining toner amount detection unit 111 ends the remaining amount detection process.

  On the other hand, when there is a color whose remaining toner amount is equal to or less than the remaining amount threshold value (1/4) (in the case of “YES” in step S1-5), the control unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 10 determines the average for this color. A toner usage amount calculation process is executed (step S1-6). Specifically, the scheduled remaining days calculation unit 112 of the control unit 11 receives data related to the toner consumption calculated from the remaining toner detection unit 111. The planned remaining days calculation unit 112 calculates a total number of printed sheets L2 for all sizes, which is the total number of printed sheets for each paper size. Then, the scheduled remaining days calculation unit 112 calculates the average usage amount using the calculated total size total number of printed sheets L2 and the toner consumption amount.

  Next, the control unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 10 performs a calculation process of the estimated remaining number of days for the remaining amount of toner of this color (step S1-7). Specifically, the scheduled remaining days calculation unit 112 of the control unit 11 includes the current date D2 acquired from the system calendar of the image forming apparatus 10, the received toner consumption, the recorded toner set date D1, and the new product. The estimated remaining number of days is calculated by substituting the content A of the toner bottle 60 into the equation (4).

  Next, the control unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 10 executes a remaining amount detection notification process (step S1-8). Specifically, the information notification unit 116 of the control unit 11 acquires data related to the scheduled remaining days and the safe days from the scheduled remaining days calculation unit 112. The information notification unit 116 generates a remaining amount detection notification including a detection notification type indicating that the detection notification is a remaining amount detection notification, and transmits it to the consumables management system 20. This remaining amount detection notification includes the model identifier, device number, and toner ID stored in the image forming apparatus 10, the acquired scheduled remaining days and safety days, and data relating to the toner color. Thus, the control unit 11 ends the remaining amount detection process.

(New article detection processing in the image forming apparatus 10)
Next, the new article detection process in the image forming apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIG. The new article detection process is executed periodically (every day) when the time stored in advance in the image forming apparatus 10 is reached.

  First, the control unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 10 executes processing for reading set toner bottle information (step S2-1). Specifically, the new article detection processing unit 115 of the control unit 11 reads the toner ID from the IC chip 61 of the toner bottle 60 attached to the image forming apparatus 10.

  Next, the control unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 10 determines whether or not it is a new toner bottle (step S2-2). Specifically, the new article detection processing unit 115 of the control unit 11 compares the read toner ID with the stored toner ID.

If the read toner ID matches the stored toner ID (“NO” in step S2-2), the control unit 11 ends the new article detection process.
On the other hand, when the read toner ID and the stored toner ID do not match (in the case of “YES” in step S2-3), the control unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 10 performs the new article detection notification process. Execute (step S2-3). Specifically, the information notification unit 116 of the control unit 11 acquires the newly read toner ID from the new product detection processing unit 115. The information notification unit 116 generates a new product detection report including the stored model identifier and device number, the acquired toner ID, and a report type indicating that the detection report is a new product detection report, and a consumable management system 20 to send.

In this case, the new article detection processing unit 115 of the control unit 11 supplies the current date to the scheduled remaining number calculation unit 112 as the toner set date. The scheduled remaining days calculation unit 112 updates the received toner set date. Thus, the control unit 11 ends the new article detection process.

(Processing in the consumable management system 20)
Next, processing (detection notification processing, delivery instruction processing, and consumption processing) in the consumable management system 20 of the present embodiment will be described.

(Detection report processing)
The detection notification process is performed when the remaining amount detection notification in the above-described remaining amount detection notification process (step S1-8) or the new article detection notification in the new article detection notification process (step S2-3) is received from the image forming apparatus 10. Executed.

  First, the control unit 21 of the consumables management system 20 executes detection notification information reception processing (step S3-1). Specifically, the remaining toner information notification reception unit 211 of the control unit 21 supplies the detection notification received from the image forming apparatus 10 to the remaining toner information comparison determination unit 212.

  Next, the control unit 21 of the consumable management system 20 determines whether the detection notification information received from the image forming device is a remaining amount detection notification or a new article detection notification (step S3-2). Specifically, the toner remaining amount information comparison / determination unit 212 of the control unit 21 is a remaining amount detection notification when the received detection notification information includes a detection notification type indicating a remaining amount detection notification. Judge. Further, the remaining toner amount information comparison / determination unit 212 determines that it is a new article detection report when the received detection report information includes a detection report type indicating a new article detection report.

  Here, when the received detection report information is a new article detection report (in the case of “NO” in step S3-2), the control unit 21 of the consumables management system 20 performs a writing process to the new toner report information storage unit. Execute (Step S3-3). Specifically, the toner remaining amount information comparison / determination unit 212 of the control unit 21 extracts a model identifier, a device number, and a toner ID from the new article detection notification. The remaining toner information comparison / determination unit 212 generates new toner notification information 230 including the model identifier, device number, and toner ID, and records the new toner notification information 230 in the new toner notification information storage unit 23. Further, the remaining toner amount information comparison / determination unit 212 records the current date as a new toner set date included in the new toner notification information 230. And the control part 21 complete | finishes this detection report process.

  On the other hand, when the received detection notification information is a remaining amount detection notification (in the case of “YES” in step S3-2), the control unit 21 of the consumable item management system 20 performs a writing process to the toner remaining amount notification information storage unit. Is executed (step S3-4). Specifically, the toner remaining amount information comparison / determination unit 212 of the control unit 21 extracts a model identifier, a device number, a toner ID, a planned remaining number of days, and a safe number of days from the remaining amount detection notification. Then, the toner remaining amount information comparison / determination unit 212 generates toner remaining amount notification information 220 including the model identifier, device number, toner ID, scheduled remaining number of days, and safety days, and stores it in the remaining toner amount notification information storage unit 22. Record. Further, the toner remaining amount information comparison / determination unit 212 records the current date as a notification date included in the toner remaining amount notification information 220.

Next, the control part 21 performs a delivery instruction | indication process (step S3-5). This delivery instruction process will be described below with reference to FIG.
(Delivery instruction processing)
First, for this delivery instruction process, the control unit 21 of the consumable management system 20 determines whether there is a toner bottle that has been delivered and is not set in the image forming apparatus 10 (step S4-1). Specifically, the toner remaining amount information extraction unit 215 of the control unit 21 searches the toner remaining amount notification information storage unit 22 for the toner remaining amount notification information 220 including the model identifier and the device number acquired from the remaining amount detection notification. . Further, the toner remaining amount information extracting unit 215 searches the extracted toner remaining amount notification information 220 for whether there is another toner remaining amount notification information 220 before the notification date. In this case, the toner remaining amount information extracting unit 215 compares the color identifiers included in the currently set toner ID and searches whether there is another toner remaining amount notification information 220 of the same color.

  In this case, if the corresponding toner remaining amount notification information 220 can be extracted, there is a toner bottle 60 that has been delivered and has not been set (“YES” in step S4-1). The control unit 20 ends the delivery instruction process to suspend the delivery.

  On the other hand, if the corresponding toner remaining amount notification information 220 cannot be extracted, there is no toner bottle 60 that has been delivered and has not been set (“NO” in step S4-1). The control unit 21 executes a customer information reading process (step S4-2). The toner remaining amount information extraction unit 215 of the control unit 21 supplies an instruction to acquire customer information to the customer information related search / extraction unit 213. The customer information related search / extraction unit 213 of the control unit 21 transmits a customer information request including a model identifier and a device number to the customer related information management system 30. The customer related information management system 30 extracts the customer related information 310 including the model identifier and the device number from the customer related information storage unit 31 and transmits it to the consumables management system 20.

  And the control part 21 of the consumables management system 20 performs a delivery request process (step S4-3). Specifically, the toner delivery information reception / contact unit 214 of the control unit 21 transmits a delivery request to the delivery system 40. This delivery request includes a delivery instruction including information (customer name, address, etc.) necessary for delivery of the acquired customer information.

  And the control part 21 of the consumables management system 20 performs the reception process of the delivery information containing a delivery completion flag (step S4-4). Specifically, the toner delivery information reception / contact unit 214 of the control unit 21 receives delivery information from the delivery system 40 in association with the model identifier and the device number. In this case, the delivery information includes customer-related information, delivery date (delivery date), and information on the toner ID (new toner ID) of the delivered new toner bottle 60. Further, this delivery information includes information on the number of days required for delivery (shortest day, reference date, and longest day).

  Next, the control unit 21 of the consumable item management system 20 executes a process for writing delivery information including a delivery completion flag (step S4-5). Specifically, the toner delivery information reception / contact unit 214 of the control unit 21 extracts the toner remaining amount notification information 220 including the model identifier and the device number from the toner remaining amount notification information storage unit 22. The toner delivery information reception / contact unit 214 records customer-related information, new toner ID, and information on the delivery date in the toner remaining amount notification information 220. Further, the toner delivery information reception / contact unit 214 determines the delivery date reference date, the fastest delivery date (MIN), and the latest delayed delivery based on the delivery date, the number of days required for delivery, and the safety days of the toner remaining amount notification information 220. The date (MAX) is calculated and recorded in the toner remaining amount notification information 220. Thus, the delivery instruction process in FIG. 6 ends, and the detection notification process in FIG. 5 ends.

(Consumption processing)
Next, the toner remaining amount notification information clearing process will be described with reference to FIG. This erase process is executed periodically (for example, at the end of each day) when the time stored in advance in the image forming apparatus 10 is reached.

First, the control unit 21 of the consumable item management system 20 executes a process for reading toner remaining amount notification information whose delivery date is earlier than the current day (step S5-1). Specifically, the toner remaining amount information extracting unit 215 of the control unit 21 compares the fastest delivery date included in the toner remaining amount notification information 220 with the current date, and the remaining toner amount including the fastest delivery date before the current date. The notification information 220 is extracted from the toner remaining amount notification information storage unit 22. The toner remaining amount information extracting unit 215 includes the extracted toner remaining amount notification information 220.
Are provided to the new toner information search unit 216 and the toner delivery date information comparison / determination unit 217. Then, the control unit 21 repeats the following processing (steps S5-2 to S5-7) for each extracted toner remaining amount notification information 220.

  Here, the control unit 21 of the consumable item management system 20 executes a search process for new toner notification information including the model identifier and the device number (step S5-2). Specifically, the new toner information search unit 216 of the control unit 21 searches the new toner notification information storage unit 23 for new toner notification information 230 including the received model identifier and device number.

  Here, when the new toner notification information can be extracted (in the case of “YES” in step S5-3), the control unit 21 of the consumables management system 20 displays the remaining toner notification information including the model identifier and the device number. A consumption process is executed (step S5-4). Specifically, the toner delivery date information comparison determination unit 217 of the control unit 21 compares the new set toner ID of the extracted new toner notification information 230 with the new toner ID of the toner remaining amount notification information 220, Make sure you are doing it. When the toner delivery date information comparison determination unit 217 confirms the toner remaining date notification information 220, the toner remaining date notification information 220 is deleted from the toner remaining amount notification information storage unit 22.

  If the new set toner ID and the new toner ID do not match, the toner delivery date information comparison / determination unit 217 informs the toner continuous use success / failure information communication unit 218 of the customer-related information of the remaining toner notification information 220. Provide information. The toner continuous use success / failure information communication unit 218 executes a contact instruction process for the terminal 50 of the person in charge. Here, the toner continuous use success / failure information communication unit 218 sets the name and address of the customer included in the customer related information and the set toner for the mail address of the terminal 50 of the person in charge included in the customer related information. A mail including that the IDs are different is transmitted to the terminal 50 of the person in charge. Based on the mail information displayed on the terminal 50 of the person in charge, the person in charge contacts this customer and confirms the situation.

  On the other hand, when the new toner notification information of the consumable management system 20 cannot be extracted (in the case of “NO” in step S5-3), the control unit 21 determines whether or not the latest delayed delivery date has passed. (Step S5-5). Specifically, the toner delivery date information comparison determination unit 217 of the control unit 21 compares the latest delayed delivery date included in the toner remaining amount notification information 220 with the current date. Here, when the latest delayed delivery date has not elapsed (in the case of “NO” in step S5-5), the extinguishing process for the toner remaining amount notification information 220 is terminated.

  Here, when the latest delayed delivery date has passed (in the case of “YES” in step S5-5), the control unit 21 of the consumables management system 20 determines whether or not contact has been made (step S5-6). ). Specifically, the toner delivery date information comparison / determination unit 217 of the control unit 21 determines whether or not a contacted flag is recorded in the toner remaining amount notification information 220. Here, when the contacted flag is recorded (in the case of “YES” in step S5-6), the control unit 21 ends the extinguishing process for the remaining toner information information 220.

Then, when the contacted flag is not recorded (in the case of “NO” in step S5-6), the control unit 21 of the consumables management system 20 executes a process for instructing the person in charge (step S5-7). ). Specifically, the toner delivery date information comparison determination unit 217 provides the customer related information of the toner remaining amount notification information 220 to the toner continuous use success / failure information communication unit 218. Then, the toner continuation use success / failure information communication unit 218 determines the name and address of the customer included in the customer related information and the toner bottle 60 for the mail address of the person in charge 50 included in the customer related information. A mail including that it has not been set is transmitted to the terminal 50 of the person in charge. The person in charge who received the mail contacts this customer based on the information on the mail displayed on the terminal 50 of the person in charge and confirms the situation. Further, the toner delivery date information comparison / determination unit 217 records the current date as the contact date in the contacted flag information area of the toner remaining amount notification information 220. The above processing is sequentially repeated for the toner remaining amount notification information 220 extracted in step S5-1.

According to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
In the present embodiment, when receiving the remaining amount detection notification from the image forming apparatus 10, the control unit 21 of the consumable item management system 20 executes a writing process to the toner remaining amount notification information storage unit 22 (step S3). -4) A delivery instruction process is executed (step S3-5). In the delivery instruction process, when the corresponding toner remaining amount notification information can be extracted from the toner remaining amount notification information storage unit 22 (in the case of “YES” in Step S4-1), the control unit 21 suspends the delivery. Therefore, the delivery instruction process is terminated. On the other hand, if the corresponding toner remaining amount report information cannot be extracted in the delivery instruction process (in the case of “NO” in step S4-1), the control unit 21 executes the delivery request process (step S4-3). . After that, when receiving a new article detection notification from the image forming apparatus 10, the control unit 21 executes a writing process to the new toner notification information storage unit 23 (step S3-3). And the control part 21 performs a consumption process. In this clearing process, a process for reading toner remaining amount notification information with a delivery date before that day is executed (step S5-1), and a search process for new toner notification information including the model identifier and device number is executed (step S5-1). Step S5-2). Here, when the new toner notification information can be extracted (in the case of “YES” in step S5-3), the control unit 21 executes a process for deleting the remaining toner notification information including the model identifier and the device number. (Step S5-4). For this reason, when the control unit can determine that the shipped toner bottle 60 is at the customer's hand when receiving a remaining amount detection notification indicating that the remaining amount is low, Do not give shipping instructions. Accordingly, the delivered toner bottle 60 is not accumulated at the customer, and the consumables possessed as inventory can be reduced. Therefore, the toner bottles 60 that the customer has as inventory can be reduced without the toner bottles 60 being accumulated at the customer.

  In the present embodiment, when the control unit 21 of the consumable item management system 20 receives a new product detection notification from the image forming apparatus 10, the control unit 21 performs a writing process to the new toner notification information storage unit 23 (step S3-3). ). And the control part 21 performs a consumption process at the end of each day. For this reason, the control part 21 can perform the consumption process based on the new article detection notification received on the day collectively.

  In the present embodiment, the control unit 21 of the consumable item management system 20 executes a delivery request process (step S4-3), and executes a delivery information write process including a delivery completion flag (step S4-5). . In this delivery information writing process, the control unit 21 determines the reference date of delivery date, the fastest delivery date (MIN), the maximum delivery date from the delivery date, the number of days required for delivery, and the safety days of the toner remaining amount notification information 220. The delayed delivery date (MAX) is calculated and recorded in the toner remaining amount notification information 220. In the consumption process, the control unit 21 extracts new toner notification information including the model identifier and device number of the toner remaining amount notification information whose delivery date is before that day (in the case of “YES” in step S5-3). ) It is determined whether or not the latest delayed delivery date has passed (step S5-5). If the latest delivery date has passed and no contact has been made yet (in the case of “NO” in step S5-6), the control unit 21 executes a process for instructing the person in charge (step S5). -7). For this reason, the control unit 21 contacts the customer from the terminal 50 of the person in charge when the shipped consumable is not set by the customer even after the delivery date has passed. As a result of this communication, when the shipped toner bottle 60 has not arrived at the customer, the toner bottle 60 can be retransmitted, so that the new toner bottle 60 is more reliably delivered to the customer before the toner runs out. be able to. In addition, when the shipped toner bottle 60 has arrived at the customer, the toner bottle 60 is not retransmitted, so that the number of toner bottles 60 that the customer has in stock can be reduced.

  In this embodiment, an IC chip 61 is attached to the toner bottle 60. The IC chip 61 stores a toner identifier (toner ID) for identifying the toner bottle 60. The image forming apparatus 10 executes set toner bottle information reading processing at a predetermined time (step S2-1). Here, if the read toner ID does not match the stored toner ID (“YES” in step S2-3), the control unit 11 executes a new article detection notification process (step S2-3). S2-3). Therefore, the image forming apparatus 10 can efficiently grasp whether or not a new toner bottle 60 has been detected using the toner ID.

Moreover, you may change the said embodiment as follows.
In the above embodiment, the control unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 10 calculates the toner consumption amount from the number of printed sheets for each paper size and the dot count information. However, the calculation of the toner consumption is not limited to this. For example, the toner consumption amount may be calculated from the toner supply amount on the toner supply path. In this case, a sensor capable of measuring the toner flow rate is set in the middle of the toner supply path, and the toner supply amount (≈toner consumption amount) is calculated from the measured value of this sensor.

  In the above embodiment, the control unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 10 issues a remaining amount detection notification when the remaining amount of toner is equal to or less than the remaining amount threshold value. The controller 11 is not limited to the remaining amount of toner, and may perform a remaining amount detection notification when the planned remaining number of days and the number of safety days calculated from the remaining amount of toner are equal to or less than a threshold value.

  In the above embodiment, the image forming apparatus 10 performs the new article detection process at a predetermined time every day. Not limited to this, the image forming apparatus 10 may execute a new article detection process when the toner bottle 60 is replaced. Specifically, the control unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 10 reads the toner ID of the IC chip 61 of the toner bottle 60 when detecting that the door to be opened and closed is closed when the toner bottle 60 is replaced. Then, the read toner ID is compared with the stored ID to determine whether or not it is a new toner bottle (step S2-2). In the case of a new toner bottle 60, the control unit 11 executes a new product detection notification process (step S2-3).

  In the above-described embodiment, the image forming apparatus 10 that has received the new article detection notification has executed a writing process to the new toner notification information storage unit (step S3-3). Then, the image forming apparatus 10 executes a search process for new toner notification information (step S5-2), and executes an extinguishing process. Here, instead of recording in the new toner notification information storage unit 23, the remaining toner notification information may be immediately erased. In this case, when the control unit 21 of the consumable item management system 20 receives the new toner notification information (“NO” in step S3-2), the controller 21 executes a process for clearing the toner remaining amount notification information (step S5-4). ). Specifically, the control unit 21 extracts a model identifier, a device number, and a toner ID from the received new article detection notification. The control unit 21 extracts the toner remaining amount notification information 220 including the model identifier and the device number from the toner remaining amount notification information storage unit 22. Then, the control unit 21 confirms that the new toner ID in the toner remaining amount notification information 220 matches the toner ID in the new detection notification, and then sends this toner remaining amount notification information 220 from the toner remaining amount notification information storage unit 22. delete.

In the toner remaining amount notification information clearing process (step S5-4) of the above embodiment, the control unit 21 of the consumable item management system 20 stores the corresponding remaining toner amount notification information 220 as the remaining toner amount notification information storage unit 22. Deleted from. As the erase process (step S5-4), instead of deleting the toner remaining amount report information 220, an erase flag indicating the erase may be recorded in the toner remaining amount report information 220. In this case, an erase flag information area is provided in the toner remaining amount notification information 220. In the delivery instruction process, when it is determined whether there is a toner bottle that has been delivered and is not set in the image forming apparatus 10 (step S4-1), the control unit 21 of the consumables management system 20 The toner remaining amount notification information 220 in which the erase flag is recorded in the erase flag information area is not extracted. In this case, the toner remaining amount notification information 220 can be stored.

  In the above embodiment, the case where toner is managed as a consumable has been described. The present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can also be applied when managing other consumables such as paper.

1 is a schematic diagram of a system in an embodiment. It is a data block diagram explaining the data structure recorded on the information storage part, (a) is a toner remaining amount notification information storage part, (b) is a new toner notification information storage part, (c) is a customer related information storage part. It is. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a processing procedure of remaining amount detection processing in the image forming apparatus. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a processing procedure of a new article detection process in the image forming apparatus. The flowchart explaining the process sequence of the detection notification process in a consumables management system. The flowchart explaining the process sequence of the delivery instruction | indication process in a consumables management system. The flowchart explaining the process sequence of the consumption process in a consumables management system.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Image forming apparatus, 11 ... Control part, 20 ... Consumables management system, 21 ... Control part as control means, 22 ... Toner remaining amount report information storage part as management information storage means, 23 ... Consumables exchange report storage New toner notification information storage unit as means 30... Customer related information management system as customer information storage means 31. Customer related information storage unit 40. Delivery system 50. ... IC chip, 111 ... Toner remaining amount detection unit, 112 ... Scheduled remaining number calculation unit, 115 ... New article detection processing unit, 116 ... Information notification unit, 211 ... Toner remaining amount information notification receiving unit, 212 ... Toner remaining amount information comparison Determination unit, 213... Customer information related search / extraction unit, 214... Toner delivery information reception / contact unit 215... Toner remaining amount information extraction unit, 216. Day information comparison determination unit, 218 ... toner continued use result information communication unit, 220 ... toner remaining amount notification information 230 ... new toner notification information, 310 ... customer-related information.

Claims (5)

Control means connected to an image forming apparatus comprising a memory for storing an apparatus identifier;
A consumables management system comprising management information storage means for recording management information including the device identifier and a delivery completion flag indicating that a new consumable has been delivered,
The control means includes
When a remaining amount detection notification is received from the image forming apparatus, remaining amount notification recording processing means for recording management information including a device identifier included in the remaining amount detection notification in the management information storage unit;
Search processing means for executing search processing for searching other management information including the device identifier included in the recorded management information in the management information storage means;
If no other management information that has not been deleted in the search process is extracted, or if other management information that has not been deleted in the search process does not include a delivery flag, When a consumables delivery instruction is issued and a delivery completion flag is recorded for this management information, while a delivery completion flag is included in other management information that has not been cleared in the search process Includes a delivery instruction processing means for holding a delivery instruction for a new consumable, and
When a consumable replacement notification indicating that a consumable has been replaced in the image forming apparatus is received, a consumption processing unit that executes a consumption process on the management information including the device identifier included in the consumable replacement notification Consumables management system characterized by comprising Consumable item replacement notification storage means for recording the consumable item replacement notification received from the image forming apparatus,
The control means further comprises a consumable replacement notification recording means for recording a device identifier included in the consumable replacement notification in the consumable replacement notification storage means when the consumable replacement notification is received,
The consumption processing unit periodically extracts a device identifier included in the consumable item replacement notification recorded in the consumable item replacement notification storage unit, and executes a consumption processing on the management information including the extracted device identifier. The consumables management system according to claim 1, wherein: The control means is connected to a customer information storage means in which information related to the person-in-charge terminal is recorded in association with the device identifier, a delivery system that executes a consumable delivery instruction process, and a person-in-charge terminal,
The delivery instruction processing means transmits a delivery request including a device identifier included in the management information to the delivery system;
The control means includes
Delivery date information record for recording the delivery date of consumables in the management information storage means in association with the device identifier when information related to the delivery date of the consumables delivered by the delivery system is obtained in association with the device identifier Means,
It further comprises contact instruction processing means for extracting management information that has passed the delivery date and executing a contact instruction for a person-in-charge terminal associated with the device identifier included in the management information. The consumables management system according to claim 1 or 2. Control means connected to an image forming apparatus comprising a memory for storing an apparatus identifier;
A method for managing consumables using a consumable management system comprising management information storage means for recording management information including the device identifier and a delivery flag indicating that a new consumable has been delivered. ,
The control means includes
When a remaining amount detection notification is received from the image forming apparatus, a remaining amount notification recording process step of recording management information including the device identifier included in the remaining amount detection notification in the management information storage unit;
A search process stage for executing a search process for searching in the management information storage means for other management information including a device identifier included in the recorded management information;
If no other management information that has not been deleted in the search process is extracted, or if other management information that has not been deleted in the search process does not include a delivery flag, When a consumables delivery instruction is issued and a delivery completion flag is recorded for this management information, while a delivery completion flag is included in other management information that has not been cleared in the search process Includes a delivery instruction processing stage for deferring delivery instructions for new consumables,
When a consumable replacement notification is received indicating that the consumable has been replaced in the image forming apparatus, an extinguishing process step of executing a disposing process on the management information including the device identifier included in the consumable replacement notification And a consumable management method. Control means connected to an image forming apparatus comprising a memory for storing an apparatus identifier;
A program for managing consumables using a consumables management system comprising management information storage means for recording management information including the device identifier and a delivered flag indicating that a new consumable has been delivered,
The control means;
A remaining amount notification recording processing unit that records management information including a device identifier included in the remaining amount detection notification in the management information storage unit when a remaining amount detection notification is received from the image forming apparatus;
Search processing means for executing search processing for searching other management information including the device identifier included in the recorded management information in the management information storage means;
If no other management information that has not been deleted in the search process is extracted, or if other management information that has not been deleted in the search process does not include a delivery flag, When a consumables delivery instruction is issued and a delivery completion flag is recorded for this management information, while a delivery completion flag is included in other management information that has not been cleared in the search process Is included in the consumable replacement notification when receiving a consumable replacement notification indicating that the consumable has been replaced in the image forming apparatus. A consumable management program that functions as a consumption processing unit that executes a consumption process on management information including a device identifier.

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